So, I’ve been messing around with different keyboard switches for a good while now. You know how it is, you start with one thing, then you hear about something else, and down the rabbit hole you go. For the longest time, I was on some standard Cherry MX Reds, which were fine, pretty decent for gaming and typing, or so I thought.
Time for a Change
But then, I started noticing a bit of scratchiness creep in. Not terrible, but enough to bug me. Plus, I’d heard folks talking about these Kailh Box switches. The main thing that caught my ear was the “Box” part – supposed to be better against dust and spills, and generally more stable. And the Reds, specifically, were touted as being super smooth linears. My curiosity was officially piqued.
I did a bit of reading, watched a few videos. Seemed like a solid choice if you liked linear switches. My old reds were linear, and I liked that for gaming, so it felt like a safe bet, but hopefully an upgrade in feel. So, I decided to take the plunge. Ordered a full set for my tenkeyless board.
Getting Them In
The package arrived, nothing too fancy. Just a bag of switches. The real fun, or sometimes frustration, is the installation, right? I got out my trusty switch puller. Seriously, if you’re swapping switches, get a good puller. The cheap ones are a nightmare and can wreck your switches or your PCB.
Pulling out the old Cherries was straightforward enough. Then came popping in the Kailh Box Reds. They went in nice and snug. One thing I noticed right away was the stem. It felt a bit more secure, less wobble than the old ones. That was a good sign. The box design around the stem base also looked pretty neat, and I could see how it might help with stability and keeping gunk out.
First Impressions and Daily Use
Once they were all in, I put my keycaps back on and went for a test drive. And wow. The difference was noticeable immediately. These Box Reds were smooth. Like, incredibly smooth. The old scratchiness I was feeling? Gone. Completely. Just a clean, consistent press all the way down.
They felt a tad heavier than the Cherry MX Reds, or maybe it’s just a different kind of actuation feel, but I liked it. It felt more… substantial. The sound was also pretty pleasant – a bit deeper, a softer thud compared to what I was used to. Not silent, by any means, but not annoying either. Just a nice, satisfying sound with each keystroke.
I’ve been using these Kailh Box Reds daily for several months now. Gaming, tons of typing for work, the whole shebang. And I gotta say, they’ve held up beautifully. They feel just as smooth as day one. No new scratchiness, no inconsistencies. That box design seems to be doing its job keeping them clean, or maybe they’re just built better, who knows? All I know is they feel great.
For gaming, they’re fantastic. Quick, responsive. For typing, they’re just a joy. My fingers feel less fatigued, and I actually think I type a bit faster on them, though that could just be me enjoying the feel more.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Look, switches are super personal. What I love, someone else might not care for. If you’re after a big tactile bump or a loud click, these Box Reds aren’t for you. They are pure linear switches. But if you’re looking for a really smooth, stable, and reliable linear switch experience, I can wholeheartedly say these Kailh Box Reds are worth checking out. They definitely upgraded my keyboard experience, and I’m not looking back. It’s funny how such a small component can make such a big difference to your daily computer use, but here we are. Thumbs up from me.